- Turtle

Why Are Small Turtles Illegal

By Carl Crane | March 22nd, 2022

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While many people like pet reptiles, some are riskier than others. Here is what you need to know about tiny turtles.

Any turtle can carry germs like salmonella that can make people sick. You can get salmonella from turtles by touching them, their tank water, or the area they live and roam in.

You can’t see germs like salmonella. Turtles can look healthy and clean and still carry germs. Small turtles which have shells smaller than 4 inches long are especially dangerous.

The prohibition of small turtles has to do with the fact that most salmonella incidents occur with these animals. Children were permitted to play with the tiny hatchling turtles in those days and kids being kids, they act like them. They put whatever they’re playing with into their mouths. As a result of this, little turtles fitted nicely in the mouths of young kids, allowing germs and bacteria to spread further.

Contact with small turtles has been linked to several large outbreaks of salmonella infections making people sick, mostly young kids, which made them illegal.

If you buy a pet turtle be sure you buy it from a pet store you can trust. When buying the turtle, only buy one that has a shell larger than 4 inches.

RELATED READ: How Much Does a Turtle Cost?

Adopt, Don’t Shop For Turtles

Even if you know you want to keep a little turtle as a pet, do not buy one.

We should not support farming and the exploitation of this lovely prehistoric creature that only wants to live.

Instead, we should attempt to adopt an abandoned turtle as a symbol of compassion and effectuate change.

How To Handle Pet Turtle Safely

Always wash your hands after handling it or after touching areas where it lives or roams, especially tank water.

Don’t bathe or clean your turtle in your kitchen or bathroom, do this outside. If you can only wash it inside, use a tub or bin that’s dedicated to washing the turtle.

Whatever you do, don’t kiss or snuggle your turtle.

If you don’t want your turtle anymore, don’t toss it outside. Contact your local pet store or reptile rescue.

Turtles can be great pets, but they aren’t right for every family. A family that includes kids younger than 5, adults over 65, and those with weak immune systems should consider a different pet.

In The United States, Selling Small Turtles Is illegal

According to the CDC, many Salmonella infections in pets are caused by reptiles. Small turtles have been responsible for most occurrences of the disease.

In fact, since 1975, the sale of tiny pet turtles has been illegal in the US due to their high number of illnesses and threats to children.

Although any turtle may pose a hazard, small turtles are extra risky, because young kids are more likely to handle them and become ill.

Do All Turtles Carry Salmonella

No, not all turtles carry salmonella, but enough do that it’s a concern. About 60% of pet turtles are estimated to carry the bacteria.

Salmonella can affect people, both directly and indirectly. Turtles and other reptiles can carry salmonella germs, which are easily transmitted to humans. A tiny turtle may appear benign, giving parents the false impression that it is a safe pet for children.

However, selling small turtles is against the law in the United States because of the high disease risk.

You Don’t Have To Handle The Turtle to Get Salmonella

The Salmonella bacteria can survive on surfaces and infect you without having to touch the turtle.

According to a study published exposure to reptiles was one of the most significant risk factors for whether infants acquire salmonella. Infants are unlikely to handle reptiles directly.

They may get infected indirectly, for example, through their parent handling a turtle or cleaning its tank and then holding a child.

Symptoms of Salmonella Infection

Salmonellosis is an illness caused by salmonella bacteria. Symptoms can develop anywhere from 6 hours to 6 days after contact with the bacteria.

Symptoms include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Fever
Abdominal cramps
Headache

If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor. Untreated, salmonella infections can be life-threatening.

RELATED READ: How To Clean A Turtle Shell

What Is The Smallest Turtle You Can Own

The smallest turtle that you can own should be the common musk turtle (stinkpot) with a carapace length of no less than four inches.

The next size up would be the mud turtle which has a carapace of six to eight inches.

Special Care For Turtles

Turtles when bought need extra care and housing. A common misconception about turtles is that they’re “low-maintenance” pets.

They may not need to be walked or played with like a dog, but they do require some work and a lot of space.

Turtles need:

A tank that is at least 10 gallons per inch of shell.
A basking area that is warm (85-88 degrees) and has a UVB light.
A filter to keep the water clean.
Plenty of fresh, clean water.
Food that is low in fat and high in calcium.
A place to hide.
Daily cleaning of the tank.

Turtles can live for decades, even hundreds of years if properly cared for. That is a commitment that many individuals are not prepared to handle.

About Turtle Pets In General

Turtles have been on the market for a long time, but until recently, they were only available in pet stores.

They died in droves due to a lack of awareness among youngsters who begged their parents to purchase them.

In previous years when there was no internet or lots of information about reptiles, people still bought turtles that were well-liked, appealing, and tiny as a nickel.

After a few years, when the turtles grew to be larger, owners had no idea what to do with them or where to keep them. As a result, most were set free into nearby ponds.

Conclusion

In the United States, selling small turtles is illegal. The CDC reports that many Salmonella infections in pets are caused by reptiles. Small turtles have been responsible for most occurrences of the disease. It is estimated that 60% of pet turtles carry the bacteria.

Turtles can be great pets, but they aren’t right for every family. A family that includes kids younger than 5, adults over 65, and those with weak immune systems should consider a different pet.

Turtles can carry Salmonella bacteria, which is easily transmitted to humans. The bacteria can survive on surfaces and infect you without having to touch the turtle.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can develop anywhere from 6 hours to 6 days after contact with the bacteria. If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor.

Untreated, salmonella infections can be life-threatening.

Last updated on March 23rd, 2022.